FORMER Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson has cautioned Barrie McKay not to leave Rangers because he may never be cherished by another manager as he is by Mark Warburton.

With his recent performances the 22-year-old is attracting attention not least from the English Premier League and the Bundesliga where he has piqued the interest of RB Leipzig.

However, the midfield star of the 1980s and 1990s, believes McKay should commit himself to a longer-term contract to continue his development by working with a manager who appreciates his services.

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McKay has been transformed in the last 18 months under Warburton, who has turned him into a highly productive creator which has led to his inclusion in Gordon Strachan’s Scotland set-up.

Ferguson says McKay should continue his rise and not be swayed by riches elsewhere to concentrate on becoming an even better player at Ibrox.

The 49-year-old, who also came through the ranks at Ibrox, said: “The manager loves him so why would he want to go anywhere else?

“OK I can understand that he might be lured by the money, but money was never my god.

“He has to remember that he’s at a huge club so why would he want to move on?

“I think he can become an even better player if he stays and works hard at his game and of course that is beneficial to both him and Rangers.

“He will develop better in an environment where Mark Warburton and Davie Weir really appreciate his talents.

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“I think Barrie still has a lot to learn. Last year he was excellent but this season has been a step up and I think it’s only recently that he has really started to find his feet.

“The thing is he’s in the best possible environment to develop and get better.”

McKay was given a five-year deal by Ally McCoist in 2012 and was a regular in 2012/13 when Rangers were thrown down to the bottom tier of the game in the wake of the financial meltdown at the club.

However, he fell out of the plans at the beginning of the 2013/14 season and was then sent out on loan to Morton for the second half of that campaign.

There was no change the following season and he spent the bulk of 2014/15 with Raith Rovers.

However, the arrival of Warburton 19 months ago resulted in a complete uplift in his fortunes and he was a key player as Rangers coasted to the Championship title and reached the Scottish Cup final.

That form convinced Warburton that a new contract should be offered but McKay only chose to pen a two-year arrangement which expires in the summer of 2018.

He has been one of Rangers’ best players this season, along with veterans Kenny Miller and Clint Hill, and Warburton has already indicated that he’s desperate to keep hold of him.

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Ferguson thinks the Rangers manager has to act fast to secure McKay for the foreseeable future but he thinks the senior players can help convince the winger he should stay.

He added: “I think it’s vital that Rangers get him tied down on a new deal sooner rather than later.

“He only has a year left after this season so now would be the time to get something sorted out and hopefully that will happen.

“I’m sure that the experienced players in that Rangers dressing room will be advising Barrie to stay – people like Kenny Miller.

“They will have their part to play in that regard, but they can also help him develop as a player.”